Wow, it has been a while since my last post. In the world of a ski patroller, days blend into weeks and weeks into over a month. The storms piled up the snow in December and we finished off with just about 100 inches of the white stuff. During that time I feel that I had some of the more formative experiences of my career. From personal education, to the education of others, the last several weeks have been nothing short of entertaining. The holidays brought storms and crowds, and now that the New Year has sprung, glorious opportunities await us at every turn.
Being part of a ski patrol that dedicates a good portion of its resources to the education of others is very fulfilling. I have been fortunate enough to be involved with avalanche awareness classes and backcountry skills clinics for the past few years, and this year I was able to help teach my first Level 1 class. The folks at POWDER magazine trusted us with the education of their senior editorial staff for a four-day training session. The crew was amped and eager to learn. Fresh snow and interesting avalanche conditions made for the perfect teaching environment. They dove head first into the snowpack and came away with invaluable info that will keep them searching for more. A full report written by the magazine’s online editor can be found at www.powdermag.com/stories/snowbird-avie-clinic/.
After the excitement died down from having such a high profile class in town, we moved on through a busy Christmas with plenty of snow. The December 24th storm showered us with over two feet of blessed powder and the 25th bloomed bright. The best present any skier could ask for is clear skies, cold temps, and no wind. We must have been good this year, because that is exactly what we got. The hoards of people flocking to the mountains that day were like excited children gathering next to the tree waiting to unwrap their gifts. It was quite the time and everyone came away smiling ear to ear.
The New Year came in and topped us off with a few inches of fresh delight. Torchlight parades and carefully planned resolutions were scattered throughout the Wasatch as 2013 rolled in. I resolved to continue my pursuit of mountain knowledge and to pass that knowledge onto to others. Like my good friend Justin always told me, “It is the abundance mentality. Give back what you receive and more will come your way. Share it with everyone.”
January delivered cold temps and weird weather. Erratic winds led to odd loading patterns and I managed to get caught in a small pocket when I least expected it. Fortunately, I ended up on top and only a little shaken. That experience served as a reminder to be constantly vigilant in the mountains and listen to their warnings. Keeping a watchful eye on your surroundings is important and being aware of changing conditions will serve you well.
As we reach the mid month, more snow has fallen, albeit more in the foothills than in the high terrain. Avalanches continue to gnash their teeth and show why Mother Nature rules all. For the coming weeks I expect to be surprised yet again. But I will greet every new challenge as an opportunity to learn and progress.